Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
New York Blade (12.12.03) - Thursday, December 18, 2003
Steve Weinstein
The vaccine trial, funded by IAVI, represents only the first phase of an FDA-mandated three-phase process. This initial safety trial will determine if the vaccine has side effects. Testing whether it can prevent HIV comes later.
Although the C strain of HIV is most common in the developing world, Advax is being tested in New York City and Rochester because the Diamond Center is headquartered at Rockefeller University in the city. Researchers and the university have agreed to relinquish intellectual property rights to the Chinese government should the vaccine work. In return, the Chinese will provide Advax to other countries at cost.
VaxGen's unsuccessful AIDSVax contained synthetic versions of proteins found in HIV. The idea, following traditional models of vaccines, was that the immune system would become sensitized to the proteins and launch attacks on any virus that contained them. Advax, by contrast, injects plasma DNA that is ultimately expected to produce an immune boost. As there is no HIV involved, no one taking the vaccine would test positive for the virus.
Subjects should be at very low risk for HIV and need not be gay men. Injection drug users, sex workers and those who practice unsafe sex cannot participate. For information, telephone Liz Londono at 212- 448-5126 or 646-258-9847.
031218
AD032634
Copyright © 2003 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.